A dedication service will take place in Langley later this month to honour three soldiers with strong links to the Middleton community.
The event will be held at Willow Park in Langley on Saturday 21 March, beginning at 10.50am.
The ceremony will formally dedicate Rigby Way, Joel Halliwell VC Park and Hetherington Way, which have been named in memory of Fusilier Lee Rigby, Corporal Joel Halliwell VC and Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington.
Corporal Joel Halliwell VC
Relatives of the three soldiers will attend alongside residents, councillors, the Mayor of Rochdale and members of the armed forces community.
The service will include speeches remembering the three men, the laying of wreaths, the playing of the Last Post, poetry, the Kohima Epitaph and formal dedications.
Fusilier Lee Rigby grew up in Middleton and served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. He was murdered in a terrorist attack outside a military barracks in south London on 22 May 2013.
Corporal Joel Halliwell grew up in Middleton and served during the First World War. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for valour, the highest military honour in the United Kingdom, after rescuing wounded comrades while under heavy shellfire in May 1918. Halliwell later died in 1958 aged 76 and remains the only person from Middleton to have received the award.
Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington, also from Middleton, died while serving in Iraq on 2 January 2017 aged 22. He served with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and was a vehicle commander in the Force Protection Platoon.
West Middleton councillor Phil Burke helped secure the naming of the local streets and park in honour of the three soldiers.
He said: “This will be a really important, moving and emotional day for the Middleton community. I am really proud that local roads and park have been named in honour of Lee, Joel and Scott who have deep and lasting connections across the area. I know how much the day will mean to the relatives and loved ones of the three men. As one of the councillors for the West Middleton ward I have worked extremely hard to help bring this about, as we come together to reflect, remember and ensure the names of Lee, Joel and Scott live on forever.”
Councillor Janet Emsley, Mayor of Rochdale and lead member for the armed forces, said: “This will be a really poignant event as the community comes together to honour Lee, Joel and Scott. The special service will enable us to remember their lives, their service and also to dedicate local areas named in their honour. I know there will be a huge turnout from across the armed forces family. The families of Lee, Joel and Scott have been closely involved in the dedication ceremony and I am proud that I will be able to join them at this very special service. Lest we forget.”
The event is open to members of the public.
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